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Far from the lofty urban airs and the popular celebrations of Montevideo´s working-class neighborhoods, gauchos and indigenous peoples dominated the countryside, thanks to the herds of horses and cattle that the Creole XX Hernandarias brought with him in 1611 to the eastern flanks of the Uruguay River.
The spirit of that gaucho -half-breed, robust and stoic, able horseman and expert cattle herder- still reigns in our grass-lands, hills and mountains.
His courage and skill are the same as those proudly displayed by the gaucho of today in their daily fieldwork or their traditional celebrations, such as the Gaucho Festival in Tacuarembó or the traditional rodeos in the Rural del Prado in Montevideo.
Uruguayan gauchos still break in horses and brand and shear sheep in the colonial-era ranches that pepper the eastern countryside. Even if you are not an experienced rancher, you can still play "gaucho" for a day.
Enjoying a bitter mate at daybreak, riding across the fields and traveling through streams and canyons amid wild fauna and flora are among the experiences that make you feel a part of this history.
Preparing an open air campfire, slowly grilling the meat and savoring it with a good wine are all you need to round out the memorable adventure of immersing yourself in Uruguay´s captivating country traditions.
